Persea borbonia: Uses (Ethnobotany)
Used as an interior finish and for boat building, dried leaves make excellent substitute for tropical bay and used in the same way for seasoning.
Plant Profile: Persea borbonia
Taxonomy: Persea borboniaNames
Redbay, Red Bay
Phonetic Spelling:PER-see-uh bor-BOH-nee-uh
Genus:Persea
Species:borbonia
Family:Lauraceae
Redbay, an evergreen tree, typically reaches heights between 30 and 70 feet. Its leaves are arranged alternately, featuring smooth edges that emit a spicy fragrance when crushed. The bark is characterized by a reddish-brown hue, marked with irregular furrows that create flat-topped ridges. In early summer, the tree produces clusters of small, yellow-green flowers, followed by the development of dark blue, spherical fruit. Redbay naturally thrives in various environments, including dunes, hammocks, maritime forests, and occasionally in the sandy soils of barrier islands.
The bark of the Persea borbonia mirrors this reddish-brown appearance, with similar furrows and ridges. Its wood is prized for its ability to take on a beautiful polish, making it suitable for fine cabinetry and lumber. The aromatic leaves can enhance the flavor of soups and meats. This species exhibits a high tolerance for salt and typically flourishes in rich, moist, mucky soils. However, it is vulnerable to the Red Bay Laurel Wilt disease.
Regarding fire safety, Redbay has a medium flammability rating.
Seasons of Interest:
- Bloom: Spring
- Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall
Persea borbonia Feature Summary
Tags
#evergreen
#shade tree
#wildlife plant
#native tree
#aromatic
#salt tolerant
#cover plant
#street tree
#food source
#fire
#medium flammability
#NC native
#foxes
#black bears
#wild turkeys
#racoons
#opossums
#deer resistant
#quail
#native garden
#edible fruits
#Braham Arboretum
#larval host plant
#cover
#food source fall
#food source herbage
#Coastal FACW
#Piedmont Mountains FACW
#fruits
#bird friendly
#food source soft mast fruit
#butterfly friendly
#butterfly larvae
#cover plant winter
#pollinator garden
#audubon
#palamedes swallowtail butterfly
#spicebush swallowtail butterfly
Similar Plants
Persea borbonia Feature Summary
Attributes
Used as an interior finish and for boat building, dried leaves make excellent substitute for tropical bay and used in the same way for seasoning.
Southeastern United States
Found in NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, AR, and TX
It provides winter cover. This plant supports Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) larvae which has two flights from March-December with a partial third flight in the south. The adult butterflies feed on nectar from flowers like sweet pepperbush, thistles, blue flag, and azalea. This plant also supports Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) larvae which have 2 generations per year from April-October. Adult Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies feed on nectar from Japanese honeysuckle, jewelweed, thistles, milkweed, azalea, dogbane, lantana, mimosa, and sweet pepperbush. This plant has almost been wiped out by the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle. The foilage is browsed by white-tailed deer and fruits are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, quails, foxes, squirrels, raccoons, opossums and black bear.
The Redbay is moderately resistant to deer damage.
Woody
Edible fruit
Wildlife Food Source
medium flammability
Fruit
This tree produces a dark blue spherical fruit that becomes available September-October.
Blue
Edible
Showy
Long-lasting
Flowers
In early summer (May-June), small, yellow-green groups of flowers mature in clusters on the Redbay tree.
Gold/Yellow
Green
Spring
Summer
Leaves
The Redbay has 2-4 in. alternate, simple leaves. They have a smooth margin and produce a spicy odor when crushed. A few yellow or red leaves drop during the season.
Broadleaf Evergreen
Green
Gold/Yellow
Gold/Yellow
Red/Burgundy
Simple
Alternate
Elliptical
Ovate
Oblong
Lanceolate
Entire
3-6 inches
Edible
Fragrant
Whole Plant Traits
Shrub
Tree
Native Plant
Broadleaf Evergreen
Rounded
Oval
Medium
Low
Medium
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Wet
24-60 feet
Coastal
7a
7b
8b
8a
9a
9b
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Stem
Landscape
Edible Garden
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Native Garden
Shade Tree
Street Tree
Deer
Salt
Coastal
Butterflies
Pollinators
Songbirds
Small Mammals
Bark
Dark Brown
Light Brown
Red/Burgundy
Persea borbonia Image Gallery
Persea borbonia Attributes
Persea borbonia: Country Or Region Of Origin
Southeastern United States
Persea borbonia: Distribution
Found in NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, AR, and TX
Persea borbonia: Wildlife Value
It provides winter cover. This plant supports Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) larvae which has two flights from March-December with a partial third flight in the south. The adult butterflies feed on nectar from flowers like sweet pepperbush, thistles, blue flag, and azalea. This plant also supports Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) larvae which have 2 generations per year from April-October. Adult Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies feed on nectar from Japanese honeysuckle, jewelweed, thistles, milkweed, azalea, dogbane, lantana, mimosa, and sweet pepperbush. This plant has almost been wiped out by the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle. The foilage is browsed by white-tailed deer and fruits are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, quails, foxes, squirrels, raccoons, opossums and black bear.
Persea borbonia: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)
The Redbay is moderately resistant to deer damage.
Persea borbonia: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Persea borbonia: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Persea borbonia: Play Value
Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer
Persea borbonia: Fire Risk Rating
extreme flammability
high flammability
low flammability
medium flammability
Persea borbonia Fruit
Persea borbonia: Fruit Description
This tree produces a dark blue spherical fruit that becomes available September-October.
Persea borbonia: Fruit Color
Blue
Persea borbonia: Fruit Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Persea borbonia: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Persea borbonia Flowers
Persea borbonia: Flower Description
In early summer (May-June), small, yellow-green groups of flowers mature in clusters on the Redbay tree.
Persea borbonia: Flower Color
Gold/Yellow
Green
Persea borbonia: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Persea borbonia Leaves
Persea borbonia: Leaf Description
The Redbay has 2-4 in. alternate, simple leaves. They have a smooth margin and produce a spicy odor when crushed. A few yellow or red leaves drop during the season.
Persea borbonia: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Persea borbonia: Leaf Color
Gold/Yellow
Green
Persea borbonia: Deciduous Leaf Fall Color
Gold/Yellow
Red/Burgundy
Persea borbonia: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Persea borbonia: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Persea borbonia: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Persea borbonia: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Persea borbonia: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Persea borbonia: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Persea borbonia: Leaf Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy
Persea borbonia Whole Plant Traits
Persea borbonia: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Persea borbonia: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Persea borbonia: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Persea borbonia: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Persea borbonia: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Persea borbonia: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Persea borbonia Cultural Conditions
Persea borbonia: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Persea borbonia: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Persea borbonia: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Persea borbonia: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Persea borbonia: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Persea borbonia: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
7a
7b
8a
8b
9a
9b
Persea borbonia: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Persea borbonia Stem
Persea borbonia: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Persea borbonia Landscape
Persea borbonia: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Persea borbonia: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Persea borbonia: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Persea borbonia: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Persea borbonia: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
Persea borbonia Bark
Persea borbonia: Bark Color
Dark Brown
Light Brown
Red/Burgundy
